Pontoon boat

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a pontoon boat adapted to receive a personal watercraft for propulsion thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the pontoon boat includes a multilevel decking defining an open bay area for receiving the personal watercraft. The multilevel decking includes a rigid support frame, a floor, at least one deck, and a front panel opposite the open bay area that extends from the floor to the deck. One or more flotation elements are releasably secured proximal the floor. A continuous surface, such as one defined by a diaphragm, is secured to the floor adjacent the open bay area. The continuous surface cooperates with the floor and the front panel to inhibit a rearward flow of cavitated water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/802,894 filed May 23, 2006, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pontoon boat, and, moreparticularly, to a pontoon boat adapted to receive a personalwatercraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to provide a pontoon boat adapted to receive amotorized boat for providing propulsion thereto. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 3,659,546 to Miklos (the “Miklos '546 patent”) discloses a pontoonboat having a structure formed in the stern end of a deck thereof forencapsulating a motor boat that provides the motive means to propel thepontoon boat. The Miklos '546 patent further discloses that the motorboat is separable from the pontoon boat for use as a tender craft. Asanother example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,150 to Beaulac et al. (the “Beaulac'150 patent”) discloses a small boat formed from an open hull reinforcedfiberglass unit having twin rear hulls and a docking bay formed betweenthe twin rear hulls to receive a jet propelled personal watercraft.However, what is needed in the art is a pontoon boat adapted to receivea personal watercraft for efficient propulsion thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings ofthe prior art discussed above by providing a pontoon boat that isadapted to receive a personal watercraft and inhibit the flow ofcavitated water to a motive element thereof. More particularly, anexemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a pontoon boathaving a plurality of flotation elements, a support frame, and amultilevel decking. The support frame and/or the multilevel deckingdefine a bay area for receiving the personal watercraft, which isadapted to propel and direct the pontoon boat. The pontoon boat includesa diaphragm and a front panel for inhibiting the flow of cavitated waterproximal the motive element of the personal watercraft.

It shall be understood that the relative terminology used herein, suchas “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “top”, etc., is solely for the purposesof clarity and designation and does not limit the scope of the presentinvention to structural embodiments having a certain position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following detailed description of various exemplaryembodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a pontoon boat constructed inaccordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1, aright side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 4 is front elevational view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1 incombination with a personal watercraft;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a lower winch assembly and aplurality of bumper assemblies for securing the personal watercraft ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an upper winch assembly forsecuring the personal watercraft of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 1 with drop-inflooring being shown;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the pontoon boat of FIG. 1provided with a seating arrangement, storage containers, and safetyrailings;

FIG. 13 is a left side elevational view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 12,a right side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 14 is front elevational view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 12 incombination with a personal watercraft;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 12 withanother seating arrangement;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the pontoon boat of FIG. 12 withdrop-in flooring being shown;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a rear winch assembly for securingthe personal watercraft of FIG. 8;

FIG. 22 a is a top perspective view showing a pontoon boat constructedin accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention and with the flotation elements of the pontoon boat havingbeen broken away; and

FIG. 22 b is a bottom perspective view showing the pontoon boat of FIG.22 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a pontoon boat 10 constructed in accordance witha first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown toinclude a support frame 12, a plurality of flotation elements 14 a-b, amultilevel decking having an upper deck 16, a floor 18 and a lower deck20 positioned therebetween, a support arch 22, a front panel 24, and adiaphragm 26. The support frame 12, the flotation elements 14 a-b, themultilevel decking, the support arch 22, the front panel 24 and thediaphragm 26 shall each be discussed in further detail below.

Referring to FIG. 1, the support frame 12 has a plurality of ribs,including a plurality of upper ribs 28 a-p, a plurality of lower ribs 30a-g, and a plurality of intermediate ribs 32 a-n extending between theupper ribs 28 a-p and the lower ribs 30 a-g. The upper ribs 28 a-fextend generally longitudinal, and the upper ribs 28 g-p extendgenerally transverse with respect to the upper ribs 28 a-f. The lowerribs 30 a-b extend generally longitudinal, the lower ribs 30 c-d extendgenerally transverse with respect to the lower ribs 30 a-b, the lowerribs 30 e-f extend angularly with respect to the lower ribs 30 a-b, andthe lower rib 30 g extends between the lower ribs 30 e-f. The supportframe 12, together with the upper deck 16 and the floor 18, defines anopen bay area 34. As shown in FIG. 8, a personal watercraft 36 isreceived in the open bay area 34.

The ribs 28 a-p, 30 a-g, 32 a-n co-act with one another such that thesupport frame 12 is substantially rigid. Each one of the ribs 28 a-p, 30a-g, 32 a-n are preferably welded and/or fitted with each other one ofthe ribs 28 a-p, 30 a-g, 32 a-n adjacent thereto. The ribs 28 a-p, 30a-g, 32 a-n of the support frame 12 provide resistance to bending and/orbreaking and are each preferably formed from piping having an outerdiameter of one and nine-tenths inches (1.9″). The piping is preferablya combination of schedule forty aluminum, schedule eighty polyvinylchloride, and schedule forty polyvinyl chloride. It is contemplated thatthe support frame 12 can include any suitable number of ribs and thatthe ribs can be secured to one another by any suitable means. It is alsocontemplated that the support frame 12 can be monolithically formed.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the flotation elements 14 a-b of the pontoonboat 10 are secured to the support frame 12. More particularly, each oneof the flotation elements 14 a-b are, in the exemplary embodiment of theinvention, provided with a plurality of opposing D-rings 38 andadjustable straps 40 that extend between the opposing D-rings 38. Eachone of the adjustable straps 40 extend from a first one of the D-rings38, over one of the upper ribs 28 a, 28 f adjacent thereto, and to aD-ring 38 opposing the first D-ring 38. In this regard, the adjustablestraps 40 urge the upper ribs 28 a, 28 f toward the flotation elements14 a-b, thereby securing the support frame 12 thereto. The straps 40 arepreferably adjusted to allow some play between the support frame 12 andthe flotation elements 14 a-b. In this regard, the position of theflotation elements 14 a-b with respect to the support frame 12 mayself-adjust during operation of the pontoon boat 10 to compensate forload variances on the upper deck 16 (e.g., varying weight and positionof cargo, seating, passengers, etc.).

Each one of the flotation elements 14 a-b are inflated in use andprovide buoyancy to the pontoon boat 10. The flotation elements 14 a-bare preferably light weight, durable, and easy to store, such as thoseflotation elements referred to in the art as being “expedition style”.It is contemplated that the flotation elements 14 a-b can be formed fromhollow aluminum, solid styrofoam (polystyrene), hollow fiberglass,and/or any other suitable material known in the art.

Each one of the adjustable straps 40 may be provided with a ratchetmechanism (not shown) to facilitate easy attachment and detachment ofthe flotation elements 14 a-b, thereby facilitating easy transportationof the pontoon boat 10 in an unassembled form. In the exemplaryembodiment, the pontoon boat 10 is sized and dimensioned such that thewidth thereof is reduced when the flotation elements 14 a-b are detachedfrom the support frame 12. In this regard, the pontoon boat 10 can bewider than government regulations allow for highway transport (e.g.,towing of the pontoon boat 10), because the width can be reduced forhighway transport by having the flotation elements 14 a-b detached. Itis contemplated that the flotation elements 14 a-b can be secured to thesupport frame 12 by any suitable means known in the art, e.g., bolts,welding, etc. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments of theinvention, the flotation elements 14 a-b can be deflated.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1-7, the upper deck 16 of the pontoonboat 10 is secured to the upper ribs 28 a-p by bolts and/or any suitablemeans known in the art. The upper deck 16 is preferably formed from UVstabilized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheeting that is preferablyone-half inch thick and that is surface treated to achieveslip-resistance. The upper deck 16 may be provided as a single,monolithically formed panel or as multiple, complementary panels. Theupper deck 16 has an opening 42 formed therethrough. The upper deck 16is generally rectangular, except that a trapezoidal edge, referencedherein as an upper deck edge 44, at least partially defines the bay area34 and a plurality of extension surfaces 46 a-b. As further discussedbelow, the upper deck 16 has a plurality of passages 48 through whichthe support arch 22 extends to the support frame 12. The passages can bespaced apart from the perimeter of the upper deck 16 (as shown inFIG. 1) or formed in the perimeter.

The floor 18 of the pontoon boat 10 is secured to the lower ribs 30 a-gby bolts and/or any suitable means known in the art. The floor 18 ispreferably formed from a single, monolithically formed panel. The floor18 is preferably formed from UV stabilized high-density polyethylene(HDPE) sheeting that preferably has a thickness between one-eighth of aninch and one quarter of an inch. The floor 18 is generally rectangular,except that a trapezoidal edge, referenced herein as a lower trapezoidaledge 50, is provided that at least partially defines the bay area 34.Longitudinally-extending sidewalls 35 a-b are secured to the floor 18and are substantially perpendicular thereto.

The lower deck 20 of the pontoon boat 10 is positioned between the upperdeck 16 and the floor 18. The lower deck 20 is preferably formed from UVstabilized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheeting that is preferablyone-half inch thick and surface treated to achieve slip-resistance. Thelower deck 20 is preferably a single, monolithically formed panel. Thelower deck 20 preferably has the shape of a quadrilateral, e.g., arectangle, and is in substantial alignment with the opening 42 formed inthe upper deck 16, such that a passenger can stand in the opening 42 onthe lower deck 20. The lower deck 20 provides a reinforced surface uponwhich a load (e.g., cargo, a passenger, etc.) may be supported at aposition lower than the upper deck 16. A plurality of compartment walls51 a-b are provided that extend perpendicularly from the lower deck 20to the upper deck 16 and that are in substantial alignment with thoseedges of the upper deck 16 defining the opening 42 formed therein.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1-7, the support arch 22 is securedto the support frame 12. Considerable loads and torques are typicallyexerted on the pontoon boat 10 during operation thereof, and the supportarch 22 provides further strength and rigidity to the multilevel deckingand/or the support frame 12. The support arch 22 includes a horizontalsupport member 52 a formed from a horizontal pipe that has beenreinforced with a pipe dowel extending therethrough. The support arch 22further includes a plurality of support members 52 b-d securing thehorizontal support member 52 a to the upper ribs 28 a, 28 p and aplurality of support members 52 e-g securing the horizontal supportmember 52 a to the upper ribs 28 m, 28 f. The support arch 22 ispreferably sized and dimensioned to permit entry of the personalwatercraft 36 with an operator thereof into the bay area 34 without thesupport arch 22 having to be removed and/or without the operator havingto first exit the personal watercraft 36. It is contemplated that thesupport arch 22 can be detachably secured to the support frame 12. Eachone of the support members 52 a-g are preferably formed from scheduleforty aluminum piping having an outer diameter of one and nine-tenthsinches (1.9″).

The front panel 24 of the pontoon boat 10 is secured to the intermediateribs 32 m-n and preferably has a trapezoidal shape. The front panel 24is preferably formed from UV stabilized high-density polyethylene (HDPE)sheeting and can be formed from any suitable material known in the art.The front panel 24 co-acts with the upper deck 16, the floor 18, thesidewalls 35 a-b, and the compartment walls 51 a-b to define a pluralityof chambers 54 a-b therebetween. In preferred embodiments of theinvention, one or more of the compartment walls 51 a-b are hingedlysecured to the lower deck 20, thereby permitting user access to one ormore of the chambers 54 a-b.

The diaphragm 26 of the pontoon boat 10 is preferably formed from athin, resistant and waterproof material, such as polyvinyl chloride(PVC). The diaphragm 26 includes a continuous surface 56 defining afluid receiving area 58 and further includes a plurality of mountingflaps 60 a-c extending from the continuous surface 56. An interferencefit may be formed by the ribs 30 e-g and the floor 18, and each one ofthe mounting flaps 60 a-c may be positioned between the floor 18 and acorresponding one of the ribs 30 e-g to secure the continuous surface 56to the support frame 12. The mounting flaps 60 a-c are preferablysecured about the lower trapezoidal edge 50, such that water beneath thefloor 18 does not flow directly into the fluid receiving area 58. It iscontemplated that the continuous surface 56 can be secured to thesupport frame 12 and/or the floor 18 in any suitable manner known in theart.

The diaphragm 26, the front panel 24, and/or the floor 18 prevent therearward flow of cavitated water from entering that area in which themotive element of the personal watercraft 36 operates, e.g., that arearearward of the fluid receiving area 58, while permitting the forwardflow of water into the fluid receiving area 58. Accordingly, there arepreferably no openings formed between the diaphragm 26 and the floor 18.

Referring to FIG. 8, the pontoon boat 10 is adapted to receive apersonal watercraft 36 in the bay area 34. The personal watercraft 36 ispreferably of a contemporary two to three person sit-down style with ahorsepower rating that can be greater than one hundred. Although it iscontemplated that any personal watercraft suitable for propelling thepontoon boat 10 can be used in combination therewith, the personalwatercraft 36 is preferably of the popular type that is up to sixteenfeet in length and includes an internal combustion motor powering awater jet pump as its primary source of propulsion. The personalwatercraft 36 is preferably designed to be operated by a person sitting,standing, or kneeling rather than in the conventional manner of boatoperation. As shown in FIG. 8, The personal watercraft 36 preferablyincludes a peripheral lip 62 (e.g., a gunwale) to which a hook, forexample, can be secured.

As shown in FIG. 9, the pontoon boat 10 includes a plurality of bumperassemblies 64 a-b. Each one of the bumper assemblies 64 a-b include oneof a plurality of padded finger sets 66 a-b that are formed from rubberand/or polyurethane and that abut against the personal watercraft 36when same is received in the bay area 34. A plurality of arms 68 a-bsecure the finger sets 66 a-b to the support frame 12. The bumperassemblies 64 a-b are flexibly adjustable to accommodate personalwatercrafts of varying sizes and/or dimensions.

A winch assembly, referenced herein as a lower winch assembly 70, issecured to a bow eye 69 at the underside of the personal watercraft 36.In this regard, the winch assembly 70 secures the personal watercraft 36against the bumper assemblies 64 a-b (and one or more sets of padding 71discussed below) when the personal watercraft 36 is received in the bayarea 34. A passenger can access the lower winch assembly 70 by rotatingthe compartment wall 51 a open and reaching through the chamber 54 a. Asshown in FIG. 9, padding 71 may be secured to one or more ribs of thesupport frame 12 for safely abutting the personal watercraft 36, and itis contemplated that padding can be provided in any location about thebay area 34. Two sets of padding 71 are preferably attached to the rib30 g for receiving the personal watercraft 36, and the bow eye 69 ispreferably positioned between the two sets of padding 71.

Referring to FIG. 10, the pontoon boat 10 can be provided with a winchassembly, referenced herein as an upper winch assembly 72, for securingthe personal watercraft 36 in the bay area 34, such that the motiveelement of personal watercraft 36 is in the fluid receiving area 58. Inthis regard, the upper winch assembly 72 includes a plurality of clips74 for attachment to the lip 62 (e.g., a gunwale) of the personalwatercraft 36. In some embodiments of the invention, the upper winchassembly 72 can also be secured to one of the flaps 60 a, 60 b to urgethe continuous surface 56 upward. Among other advantages, the upperwinch assembly 72 and/or the lower winch assembly 70 facilitate the easeat which the personal watercraft 36 can be urged into a desired positionwithin the bay area 34.

With reference to FIGS. 1-10, an exemplary method of using the pontoonboat 10 is further discussed in detail. During transport of the pontoonboat 10, the flotation elements 14 a-b are released from the supportframe 12 to reduce the overall width of the pontoon boat 10. Then, at alake or other body of water, the adjustable straps 40 are wrapped aboutthe support frame 12 to urge the flotation elements 14 a-b against thesupport frame 12. The pontoon boat 10 is then deployed onto the waterand the flotation elements 14 a-b become at least partially submerged.

To secure the personal watercraft 36 to the pontoon boat 10, thepersonal watercraft 36 is directed toward the bay area 34 and theoperator of the pontoon boat 10 passes under the support arch 22 withthe personal watercraft 36. After a user of the pontoon boat 10 (e.g., apassenger, etc.) folds down the compartment wall 51 a, the user reachesinto the chamber 54 a to operate the lower winch assembly 70, therebysecuring the pontoon boat 10 to the underside of the personal watercraft36. A user secures the clips 74 of the upper winch assembly 72 to thelip 62 (e.g., gunwale) of the personal watercraft 26 (and/or thediaphragm 26).

In operation, the personal watercraft 36 propels and directs the pontoonboat 10. The diaphragm 26 is at least partially submerged so as topermit the forward flow of water into the fluid receiving area 58 from aposition behind the pontoon boat 10. Water rearward of the diaphragm canbe operated upon by a motive element of the personal watercraft 36 toprovide propulsion to the pontoon boat 10. The front panel 24, the floor18, and the diaphragm 26 cooperate to inhibit the flow of cavitatedwater rearward of the diaphragm such that the motive element of thepersonal watercraft has enhanced efficiencies. The multilevel deckingpreferably rides above the water line so as to inhibit the rearward flowof water from a position ahead of the pontoon boat 10 into the fluidreceiving area 58. The front panel 24 inhibits the rearward flow ofcavitated water from a position ahead of the pontoon boat 10 into thefluid receiving area 58. In this regard, although the water frontward ofthe pontoon boat 10 is typically cavitated during motion of the pontoonboat 10, the front panel 24 will inhibit the flow of such cavitatedwater through the chambers 54 a-b and into the fluid receiving area 58.Although cavitated water could otherwise cause inefficiencies in themotive element of the personal watercraft 36, the front panel 24, thefloor 18, and the diaphragm 26 cooperate to inhibit the flow ofcavitated water proximal the motive element of the personal watercraft36, thereby providing enhanced propulsion efficiencies.

The exemplary embodiment of the pontoon boat 10 has numerous otheradvantages. For example, the pontoon boat 10 is difficult to capsize,swamp, and/or sink and has a relatively shallow draft in the water. Whenused in combination with the personal watercraft 36, enough power isprovided to the pontoon boat 10 for controlled travel throughconsiderable water currents and/or speeds (e.g., due to reducedcavitation problems). Because the pontoon boat 10, when assembled, canbe wider than government regulations for highway transport, a wider“footprint” is provided, thereby facilitating a low center of gravity.Moreover, the multilevel decking and support frame 12 is self-bailing,thereby making the pontoon boat 10 substantially resistant to holdingwater and/or sinking. The pontoon boat 10 is relatively lightweight,thereby permitting enhanced load capacity.

It is contemplated that the pontoon boat 10 can be provided with manyvariations and modifications without departing from the spirit and thescope of the invention. For example, referring to FIG. 11, a drop-inflooring 76 can be provided to at least partially enclose the bay area34 to enhance the upper surface area of the pontoon boat 10. The drop-inflooring 76 can be formed from a single panel or multiple panels. Thedrop-in flooring 76 may be provided with fittings and/or supports thatattach to the support frame 12.

Referring to FIGS. 12-18 and 20, the pontoon boat 10 can be providedwith a seating arrangement that includes, for example, a plurality ofchairs 78, a plurality of benches 80 having a backing, and a bench 81having no backing. The benches 80, 81 preferably have a low elevationand can be positioned about the perimeter of the opening 42 on the upperdeck 16, such that a sunken area is provided in which passengers canplace their feet when sitting on the benches 80, 81. Among otheradvantages, the seating arrangement of FIGS. 12-18 and 20 facilitates adirect line of sight between the operator of the personal watercraft 36and those locations beyond the pontoon boat 10. In particular, the lowback of the bench 81 enables a user of the personal watercraft 36 tohave a direct line-of-sight forward when operating the personalwatercraft 36.

The pontoon boat 10 can be provided with storage containers 82 securedto the upper deck 16 and safety railings 84 secured to the support frame12. In this regard, additional holes, similar to the passages 48, areformed in the upper deck 16, and the railings 84 extend through theadditional holes to the support frame 12. In some embodiments, one ormore of the safety railings 84 are removably attached to the supportframe 12 and/or one or more storage containers 82 are removably attachedto the upper deck 16. Also, as shown in FIG. 19, additional seatingarrangements are contemplated.

Additional variations and modifications of the invention arecontemplated. For example, inflatable elements (not shown) can besecured to an underside of the floor 18 and/or the diaphragm 26 to addadditional lift thereto. As another example, the pontoon boat 10 can beprovided with oars (not shown) to facilitate propulsion of the pontoonboat 10 in the absence of the personal watercraft 36. As yet anotherexample, safety panels, screens and/or sheeting (not shown) can beprovided to extend from the top of the safety railings 84 to the upperdeck 16, thereby preventing items from rolling off of the upper deck 16.It is also contemplated that the pontoon boat 10 and components thereofcan be provided with any suitable dimensions.

A spray guard can be provided extending from the bow of the upper deck16 and from the flotation element 14 a to the flotation element 14 b. Itis contemplated that the spray guard can preferably be formed from atransparent plastic sheeting. It is further contemplated that the sprayguard can reduce residual splashing onto the multilevel decking andfunnel additional air under the multilevel decking between the flotationelements 14 a-b (e.g., to reduce drag). Also, in the event of a head-oncollision, it is contemplated that the spray guard can inhibit any harmcaused to the persons and property on the upper deck 16.

Referring to FIG. 21, it is contemplated that the pontoon boat 10 can beprovided with additional and/or alternative assemblies for securing thepersonal watercraft 36 in the bay area 34. For example, a rear winchassembly 86 can be used to secure the personal watercraft 36 in the bayarea 34, such that the motive element of the personal watercraft 36 isproximal the fluid receiving area 58. Some embodiments of the rear winchassembly 86 include a winch 86 a and a winch strap 86 b, wherein thewinch 86 a is positioned on the upper deck 16 proximal the rib 28 p andthe winch strap 86 b extends from the winch 86 a around the seat of thepersonal watercraft 36 (and through an eyelet thereof). An end of thewinch strap 86 b opposite the winch 86 a is then secured to the pontoonboat 10, such as to the rib 28 m of the support frame 22. As anotherexample, the pontoon boat 10 includes a strap 88 for raising thediaphragm 26 (or other continuous surface 56). In some embodiments ofthe invention, the strap 88 is secured to and extends from the flap 60a, extends through the support frame 12 (for leverage on one or more ofthe ribs), extends over the seat of the personal watercraft 36, extendsback through the support frame 12 (for leverage from one or more of theribs), and extends to and is secured to flap 60 b, so as to urge thecontinuous surface 56 upward. Among other advantages, the rear winchassembly 86 and/or the strap 88 facilitate the ease at which thepersonal watercraft 36 can be urged into a desired position within thebay area 34.

Referring to FIGS. 22 a-b, top and bottom perspective views are providedshowing a pontoon boat 110 (with the flotation elements 114 a-b beingbroken away to facilitate consideration and discussion). Elementsillustrated in FIGS. 22 a-b which correspond substantially to theelements described above with reference to FIGS. 1-21 have beendesignated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred.The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 22 a-b isconstructed and used in manners consistent with the foregoingdescription of the pontoon boat 10 of FIGS. 1-21 unless it is statedotherwise.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 22 a-b, it is contemplated that thepontoon boat 110 includes a floor 118 formed of a polystyrene foamlayer, such as styrofoam. The polystyrene foam layer can be formed of acontinuous polystyrene foam layer or from multiple polystyrene foamsections, which are referenced herein as billets 90. It is preferredthat the foam layer be continuous, e.g., unitarily formed, thoughmultiple billets 90 are shown in FIGS. 22 a-b to facilitateconsideration and discussion. The floor 118, e.g., the billets 90, issecured to the support frame 112.

It is contemplated that the polystyrene foam layer floor 118 is formedof a hard, closed rigid polystyrene foam shell and may be about six toten inches thick (or more or less thick). It is contemplated that addedload capactity of the pontoon boat 110 is possible, because the floor118, which is buoyant, is adapted to extend below the water line inheavier conditions. The buoyancy of the floor 118 is contemplated toenhance the safety of the pontoon boat 110, by providing flotation tothe pontoon boat 110, e.g., in addition to primary flotation provided bythe flotation elements 114 a-b (not shown).

A foam sheet 92 is adhered and/or otherwise secured to the floor 118opposite the support frame 112. The foam sheet 92 includes a firstsection 94 thereof defining a continuous surface 156 proximal the bayarea 134. The foam sheet 92 is preferably a flexible and resilientlydeformable closed cell foam sheeting about one inch thick and may beprovided with a laminated protective film coating. In some embodimentsof the present invention, such as that shown in FIGS. 22 a-b, it iscontemplated that the foam sheet 92 includes a second section 96adjacent the floor 118 and a third section 98 adjacent the front panel124.

The foam sheet 92 preferably extends the full length of the pontoon boat110. In such arrangement, an elevation E₁ between the first section 94and the water line is about the same as an elevation E₂ between thesecond section 96 and the water line. An elevation E₃ between the thirdsection 98 and the water line is multiform by virtue of the angle of thefront panel 24, such that the elevation E₃ is increasingly greater thanthe elevation E₂ as the third section 98 extends from the second section96. When the personal watercraft is received in the open bay area 134and the first section 94 wraps about the personal watercraft 36, thefirst section 94 might become slightly lowered to or below the waterline, such that the elevation E₁ is just less than the elevation E₂.

It is contemplated that such arrangement, where the elevation E₁ of thefirst section 92 is substantially similar to the elevation E₂ of thesecond section 94, may provide reduced cavitation and water drag,thereby reducing any bottlenecking of the rearward flow of water as itreaches the motive element of the personal watercraft. Also, it iscontemplated that the foam sheet 92 provides the pontoon boat 110 withadditional protection from impact and abrasion.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present inventiondescribed herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in theart may make many variations and modifications without departing fromthe spirit and the scope of the invention. All such variations andmodifications, including those discussed above, are intended to beincluded within the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A pontoon boat adapted to receive a personal watercraft forpropulsion thereof, comprising: a floor at least partially defining anopen bay area; at least one flotation element positionable proximal saidfloor; and a continuous surface secured adjacent said open bay area forcooperating with said floor to inhibit rearward flow of cavitated water.2. The pontoon boat of claim 1, including a diaphragm defining saidcontinuous surface.
 3. The pontoon boat of claim 1, wherein saidcontinuous surface defines a fluid receiving area proximal said open bayarea for receiving a forward flow of water.
 4. The pontoon boat of claim3, wherein said continuous surface and said floor cooperate to inhibitflow of water from beneath said floor into said fluid receiving area. 5.The pontoon boat of claim 4, wherein said continuous surface and saidfloor form substantially no openings therebetween so as to inhibit flowof water from beneath said floor into said fluid receiving area.
 6. Thepontoon boat of claim 1, including a support frame secured to saidfloor, wherein said at least one flotation element is releasablysecurable to said support frame.
 7. The pontoon boat of claim 6,including a deck secured to said support frame opposite said floor. 8.The pontoon boat of claim 1, wherein said floor is formed ofhigh-density polyethylene sheeting.
 9. The pontoon boat of claim 1,wherein said floor is formed of a polystyrene foam layer.
 10. Theportion boat of claim 1, including a foam sheet defining said continuoussurface.
 11. The pontoon boat of claim 1 in combination with thepersonal watercraft.
 12. A pontoon boat adapted to receive a personalwatercraft for propulsion thereof, comprising: a multilevel deckingincluding a support frame, a floor secured to said support frame anddefining an open bay area, and an upper deck secured to said supportframe and further defining said open bay area; a front panel oppositesaid open bay area extending from said floor to said upper deck; and atleast one flotation element positionable proximal said floor.
 13. Thepontoon boat of claim 12, wherein said multilevel decking furtherincludes a lower deck positioned between said floor and said upper deck.14. The pontoon boat of claim 13, comprising a continuous surfacesecured to said floor adjacent said open bay area for cooperating withsaid floor and said front panel to inhibit rearward flow of cavitatedwater.
 15. The pontoon boat of claim 14, wherein said continuous surfacedefines a fluid receiving area proximal said open bay area for receivingforward flow of water.
 16. The pontoon boat of claim 15, wherein saidcontinuous surface and said floor form substantially no openingstherebetween so as to inhibit flow of water from beneath said floor intosaid fluid receiving area.
 17. The pontoon boat of claim 12, includingat least one winch assembly positioned adjacent said open bay areaadapted for releasably securing the personal watercraft.
 18. The pontoonboat of claim 12, including at least one bumper assembly adapted forreceiving the personal watercraft.
 19. A pontoon boat adapted to receivea personal watercraft for propulsion thereof, comprising: a multileveldecking defining an open bay area, said multilevel decking including asupport frame, a floor secured to said support frame, and a deck securedto said support frame; at least one flotation element positionableproximal said floor; and a substantially continuous surface securedadjacent said open bay area for cooperating with said floor to inhibitrearward flow of cavitated water.
 20. The pontoon boat of claim 19,wherein said continuous surface defines a fluid receiving area proximalsaid open bay area for receiving forward flow of water, and wherein saidcontinuous surface and said floor cooperate to inhibit flow of waterfrom beneath said floor into said fluid receiving area.
 21. The pontoonboat of claim 19 in combination with the personal watercraft.